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THE ILLICIT TEMPTATION OF THE DARK SIDE

12 April, 2007

WEBWATCH

Last week's new computer word was 'architect'. This week's is 'podslurping'.

Podslurping means copying private data from a PC using a portable storage device such as an iPod. I've done it myself with one of those tiny USB pen drives and nobody in the office took the slightest bit of notice. No, I wasn't nicking data. So when someone you think you don't know very well pops in and starts playing idly with one of your computers you know what they're probably up to. And do you really have any data that's worth lifting anyway?

I see that all the mobilephone people are rushing to incorporate microprojectors into next-generation cellphones. But the word 'micro' is obviously not all that happening because the people from the Dark Side are already tantalising us with 'picoprojector' and 'nanoprojector'. Naturally, we all have a desperate need to project A4-sized movies at the desk from our cellphones.

Who needs monitors any more? And what happens when someone rings? A clammy hand gripped my bowels when I read of a likelier use: PR people doing presentations over lunch.

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